Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Govt Collegiate Teachers’ Association (TNGCTA) condemned the notice issued to Cynthia Selvi, joint director of collegiate education, seeking an explanation for issuing a circular asking colleges to prevent students from taking part in protests organised by Left parties and CJP.Commissioner of collegiate education P Ponniah had issued the notice stating that the circular was issued without his permission. Cynthia Selvi was asked to give an explanation within a week.“It was the special secretary who conveyed the govt decision (to prevent students from taking part in protests organised by Left parties and CJP) and sought an action-taken report before Aug 20. The circular was also sent to the registrars of state universities. However, seeking an explanation from the joint director alone is nothing but making her responsible for the entire issue,” said S Suresh, general secretary of TNGCTA. He also sought the withdrawal of the notice issued to her.State Platform for Common School System (SPCSS) demanded that the instructions by chief secretary M Sai Kumar be declared null and void.“Unless the govt declares the instructions of the chief secretary recorded in the minutes as null and void, it would remain a threat to academic freedom and campus democracy. The council of ministers should declare the direction given by the chief secretary, recorded in the minutes of the law and order review meeting, as null and void,” said P B Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary of SPCSS.On Saturday, CPM conducted a protest demanding action against chief secretary for issuing the controversial circular.
